Hong Kong Today: CE Visits Central Asia, Tech Developments, and Livelihood Updates
Chief Executive John Lee met with the media in Astana, Kazakhstan, today. He is leading a business delegation to Central Asia to strengthen economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the region. Accompanied by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, the trip demonstrates Hong Kong's determination to actively explore new markets and enhance international cooperation.
In terms of economy and technology, Tencent's stock price rose significantly today, with the afternoon gain expanding to 10%, reaching a new high in a month. Market news indicates that the WeChat AI assistant is expected to officially debut this month, a development that has filled investors with anticipation regarding Tencent's prospects in the field of artificial intelligence.
Regarding government work, Secretary for Security Chris Tang attended a Legislative Council meeting today to introduce the work of the Security Bureau and its disciplined services in youth development, emphasizing the importance of cultivating law-abiding awareness among young people. Additionally, to improve workplace safety, the "Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Innovation and Technology Expo," co-organized by the Labour Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Council, opened today, featuring over 100 organizations showcasing innovative safety technologies.
On public health and food safety, the Centre for Health Protection reminded the public that COVID-19 has become endemic in Hong Kong and urged citizens to receive vaccinations in a timely manner to maintain protection. Meanwhile, the government continues to monitor the testing of imported Japanese aquatic products. In response to the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima, the import of aquatic products from 10 Japanese prefectures remains prohibited to ensure food safety for the public.
In education and livelihood, the Education Bureau issued a statement today apologizing to parents across Hong Kong for an error in sending out SMS notifications regarding the Primary One Central Allocation. The Education Bureau expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and has made immediate clarifications to ensure parents receive the correct admission information and avoid further misunderstandings.
Finally, several statistical data points for May were released today. The Land Registry published the land registration figures for May. Regarding the weather, May in Hong Kong was cloudier than normal with heavy rain in some areas; the average cloud cover for the month reached 82%. Additionally, the Hong Kong Dollar Effective Exchange Rate Index today was 101.2, the same as yesterday's index, showing stable performance.